Friday, July 21, 2006

Shearing Days

Kevin Ford from Charlemont, MA has been shearing our sheep for over ten years. He is one of the only "blade shearers" in the USA. Maybe you have seen him at Maryland Sheep and Wool or one of the other Wool Festivals. Here are some scenes from yesterday. He sheared 61 sheep and today, he is doing about the same amount. We never know how many sheep we have until we count them on shearing day and pay the bill. We don't shear the lambs. Kevin wrote a book on shearing called Shearing Day and you can order it here.

BEFORE
"I wish I had my knitting with me."


DURING
"When will this ever end?"


AFTER
"I feel much better now. You?"


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

What do you do with the fleece? Could you sell it? Perhaps Rhinebeck or MDSW? Or do you send it out to make wonderful wool?

Patty in Baltimore

Anonymous said...

Same question as Patty. Do you process it yourself or send it out?

Anonymous said...

In the last photo I'm sure those sheep are smiling.......

tlchang said...

They look cooler - but rather nekkid in that last picture! :-) What a lot of critters you have, in looking over your blog. How fun.

Joanne said...

Isn't Kevin wonderful? I helped at a shearing he did in North Carolina a few years ago. It was fabulous--such a charming person, and it was so peaceful and quiet without the buzz of the electrified shears...much less stress for the sheep, I think?
I so enjoy your blog!

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